diff --git a/unity/native/papi-v8/source/PesapiV8Impl.cpp b/unity/native/papi-v8/source/PesapiV8Impl.cpp
index c94d6ca056..1f588b27a0 100644
--- a/unity/native/papi-v8/source/PesapiV8Impl.cpp
+++ b/unity/native/papi-v8/source/PesapiV8Impl.cpp
@@ -692,6 +692,11 @@ void pesapi_release_value_ref(pesapi_value_ref value_ref)
     {
         if (!value_ref->env_life_cycle_tracker.expired())
         {
+            // v8::Persistent uses NonCopyablePersistentTraits (kResetInDestructor == false),
+            // so ~pesapi_value_ref__() does NOT release the strong V8 global root. Without an
+            // explicit Reset(), a JS function marshaled into a C# delegate (this path never calls
+            // pesapi_set_ref_weak) and everything its closure captures leak for the isolate's lifetime.
+            value_ref->value_persistent.Reset();
             value_ref->~pesapi_value_ref__();
         }
         ::operator delete(static_cast<void*>(value_ref));